Fall vegetable gardens coming up

Even though most of our spring vegetable gardens, though past their primes, are still productive, now is the time to begin planning our fall gardens. A fall vegetable garden is a challenge, but well worth the effort if some basic gardening principles are followed. A well cared for fall garden can be quite rewarding, but it may require more attention due to increased pressure from insects, diseases, weeds and, of course, our four-legged friends, the white-tailed deer.

Throughout the month of July, several warm season vegetables can be planted from seed. These include okra, squash, field peas, and lima beans. Some cool season crops that can be planted beginning next month are beets, cabbage, collards, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, kale, mustard, turnips, and Irish potatoes. Now is the time to do some careful planning for these later maturing crops.

Preparation for the fall garden, as for any garden, is most important. All dead and dying plant material should be tilled under to discourage disease buildup and encourage plant decomposition. If diseases or nematodes are evident, the infected plants should be removed from the garden and burned rather than tilled under. The soil should be tilled to a depth of 8 to 10 inches if possible. The area should then be raked smooth in order to make a suitable seedbed.

Beware of soil fungi such as Rhizoctonia when establishing the fall garden. These pathogens can inhibit seed germination or cause a condition called damping-off of the young seedlings after they germinate. Affected seedlings simply fall over and die soon after they germinate. One way to prevent this is to coat the seeds with a fungicide such as Captan or Thiram powder. Put the seeds in a bag and add a small amount of fungicide (about a teaspoon per pound of seed) and a few drops of water. Shake then plant.

Fertilizer and lime should be applied according to soil test results. Remember-most vegetables prefer a pH of between 6.0 and 6.5. One way to make the most of your fertilizer is to split the applications in two or three separate applications. To do this, apply one third of it at planting and offer the rest in one or two sidedressings.

Watch weeds! They are very persistent this time of year and will take over the garden area if you are not careful. Use herbicides, such as Treflan, at planting or cultivate as shallow and as often as possible, being careful to avoid plant roots. Mulch if possible.

Watering the fall garden is also an important consideration. On light, sandy soils, about three fourths of an inch per application twice per week is recommended. On heavier, clay type soils, it is best to water, in the absence of rain, once per week about one to one and one half inches.

Insects are a major concern for the fall gardener, since their numbers tend to be greater this time of year than in the spring. Stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs are particular nuisances. Flea beetles can be a real problem on leafy greens. Inspect plants carefully every few days for signs of infestation and spray or dust when necessary. Remember to protect pollinator bees by refraining from applying chemicals early in the day while the bees are active.

The July heat is no doubt taking its toll on your beloved tomato plants. So, in order to keep the harvest coming past next month, why not propagate some of your best plants now? Do this by taking healthy stem tip cuttings, about 6” long. Remove the bottom one-third of the leaves, dip the cut ends in rooting hormone, and place them in small pots. Water well and place in bright, indirect light. Rooting should occur within 10 days to two weeks. Once healthy roots are formed, transplant the plants in the garden for a late crop of tomatoes.

Cooler weather is not that far away, and with it comes the promise of good quality vegetables, fresh from the garden. Better get started!